Welsh Liberal Democrats

WASTE WATCHERS - Day 10

The Welsh Liberal Democrats will expose an example of the waste and inefficiency of Labour and Plaid Cymru in government on each day of the Welsh general election campaign

Research by the Welsh Liberal Democrats has revealed that administration and audit regulations imposed by the Labour-Plaid Government are costing Local Authorities in excess of £35 million a year.

Currently nearly £750 million a year is given to local government through grants where the money is ring fenced for particular initiatives. This method of funding has been estimated to cost Local Government in excess of 5 per cent of this figure on administration costs.

If this money was paid directly to local government then these administration costs could be avoided and more than £35 million could be saved every year which could be reinvested and used on essential front line services.

Veronica German, South Wales East Assembly Candidate and Shadow Local Government Minister said:

"I find it incredible that at a time when everyone is pulling together to cut waste and spend less, the Labour-Plaid government is forcing local government to spend such huge amounts of money on an overly bureaucratic and unnecessary process.

"Labour and Plaid Cymru have turned waste, incompetence and inefficiency into an art form.

"Local councils are trapped in a thicket of orders from the Labour-Plaid government. The Welsh Liberal Democrats would reduce the complexity and costs arising from these grants so that we save money and have more efficient and stronger local councils, delivering for local people."